This is a crucial question to answer. It defines your behavior and your behavior defines your success (or failure).
If success is what you desire as an entrepreneur, artist, salesperson, student, accountant, writer, public speaker or whatever, then you need to understand the differences between an amateur and a professional and choose which you will be.
I think we often fail to make this distinction. I also think we lack understanding on what it means to be a professional versus an amateur. I’d like to clear up some of this confusion and help you decide which you are. Trust me, it will make a huge difference.
I know this is a long list of differences, but it paints a clear picture.
As professionals:
As amateurs:
We show up every day.
We show up no matter what.
We stay on the job all day.
We are committed over the long haul.
The stakes for us are high and real.
We accept compensation for our labor.
We master the technique of our trade.
We have a sense of humor about it.
We receive real praise or blame.
We are patient in seeking results.
We seek order in our work.
We act in the face of fear.
We do not allow ourselves any excuses.
We play it as it lays.
We come every day prepared to work.
We do not show off.
We recognize our limitations.
We do not hesitate to ask for help.
We do not take failure personally.
We endure adversity.
We self-validate.
We reinvent ourselves, when needed.
We are recognized as professionals by others.
We show up when we want to.
We allow even little things to distract us.
We do a little here and a little there.
Our commitment comes and goes.
There are no real stakes in it for us.
We aren’t paid much, if any, for what we do.
We try to copy others.
We have a chip on our shoulder.
We accept inflated feedback.
We want immediate gratification.
Things are done haphazardly.
Fear deters us.
Any excuse is enough to pause.
We make it easy for ourselves.
We do what we feel like doing.
We love to grandstand.
We try to do it all.
We go it alone.
We fear rejection.
We give up when the going gets tough.
We crumble under criticism.
We let it go when interest wanes.
We are known to be amateurs trying to make it in a professional world.
Amateur Vs Professional
Are you an amateur or a professional?
This is a crucial question to answer. It defines your behavior and your behavior defines your success (or failure).
If success is what you desire as an entrepreneur, artist, salesperson, student, accountant, writer, public speaker or whatever, then you need to understand the differences between an amateur and a professional and choose which you will be.
I think we often fail to make this distinction. I also think we lack understanding on what it means to be a professional versus an amateur. I’d like to clear up some of this confusion and help you decide which you are. Trust me, it will make a huge difference.
I know this is a long list of differences, but it paints a clear picture.
As professionals:
As amateurs:
We show up every day.
We show up no matter what.
We stay on the job all day.
We are committed over the long haul.
The stakes for us are high and real.
We accept compensation for our labor.
We master the technique of our trade.
We have a sense of humor about it.
We receive real praise or blame.
We are patient in seeking results.
We seek order in our work.
We act in the face of fear.
We do not allow ourselves any excuses.
We play it as it lays.
We come every day prepared to work.
We do not show off.
We recognize our limitations.
We do not hesitate to ask for help.
We do not take failure personally.
We endure adversity.
We self-validate.
We reinvent ourselves, when needed.
We are recognized as professionals by others.
We show up when we want to.
We allow even little things to distract us.
We do a little here and a little there.
Our commitment comes and goes.
There are no real stakes in it for us.
We aren’t paid much, if any, for what we do.
We try to copy others.
We have a chip on our shoulder.
We accept inflated feedback.
We want immediate gratification.
Things are done haphazardly.
Fear deters us.
Any excuse is enough to pause.
We make it easy for ourselves.
We do what we feel like doing.
We love to grandstand.
We try to do it all.
We go it alone.
We fear rejection.
We give up when the going gets tough.
We crumble under criticism.
We let it go when interest wanes.
We are known to be amateurs trying to make it in a professional world.
Adapted from...